RaceAddict

That's an outstanding build of one of the world's least aesthetic looking helos. Kudos to you!

Update: Not an awful lot to post here, as has been evident by the past 3+ months of inactivity. Unfortunately I've had basically zero bench time all winter. Last year my wife developed frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis. My wife is all three of those things... between 40 and 60, a woman, and a T1 diabetic. This all adds up to a rough, painful time for her, and obviously a lot less free time for me. Months of pyshiotherapy 2-3 times per week, daily mobility exercises at home, and weekly acupuncture is finally starting to pay off though. She's gained back some degree of movement, but not yet anywhere near normal, nor pain-free. But at least it's progress. So, last night I sat down at the bench, tidied up a bit and got myself oriented again on the -104. I figured "hey, I've got a long weekend coming up with no real plans, so lets' get back down to business here..." I did a little filling and sanding, shot a little paint even, and then when I was cleaning out my Eclipse I dropped it (on the carpet) and broke the threaded part of the needle guide! 🤦‍♂️ Part is on order, but no idea if it'll get here before Friday.

Well after my first attempt with AK's Xtreme metals I wasn't too pleased... though I'm fairly sure it came down to me. I don't think I got the primer coat of black down glossy enough so the Polished Aluminium coat that went down afterwards didn't have the right look at all. So, I went to work on removing it with some lacquer thinner. And that's where it went downhill. Badly. Two things: the thinner seems to have some weird reaction with the paint and while the aluminium comes off easily, it left behind an odd, clear sheen. No idea if this is from the paint/primer, or the plastic. However, it also muddied the details on the plastic. Panel lines are sloppy and soft looking now. I'm not sure if this is the plastic melting, or the weird "clear" filling them in. Kind of out of ideas here, but thankfully this failed experiment was only on the tip tanks, so I guess my 104 will just be a clean wing version now. Hopefully I don't mess up the fuselage, because as I've found out the hard way, stripping isn't easy.

Well the AK Xtreme doesn't seem to want to come off easily... it's a process, apparently.

I don't actually use it to thin the product, more to clean up the airbrush.

For those that have stripped AK Xtreme metal off a model, can I ask how? I used their Xtreme metal thinner and it's done something weird to the parts I stripped... almost as if it's softened the plastic? Not sure. Letting it dry up and going to try again, hopefully after a little input from here.

Not my scale... but if someone puts out a set of RCAF decals for that bird... ooh boy, it'll be in my stash pronto!

Looted laundry machines and dishwashers...

Looks like only a few versions of VF-103's final Tomcat cruise. I'm itching to do the low-vis version, personally.

Last year, not this year. Current prices are down by 73 percent compared to 2021's peak.

Alrighty.... going to log my commitments, and we'll see how far I fall short come the end of '23: Salty Sea Dog: 01/07 - 04/23 Academy 1/72 F-14A w/ some early VF-1 (circa 1978) decals from DXM Recce: 02/25 - 06/18 ICM 1/48 OV-10A Bronco, undecided which squadron Draken STGB: 03/04 - 06/04 Undecided 1/72 MiG-25 STGB: 09/02 - 12/03 Something in 1/72, likely from ICM Four builds inside a year is ambitious for me.... we'll see how it plays out.

Yikes, the 3 I committed myself to all overlap at the start of the year... 😬 The bright side is that they are all pre-summer, when my building inevitably pauses anyways. Hopefully Winter 22/23 will be a productive one for me, right into Spring.

Well in that case, I was saying it as a compliment... personally I've never heard anyone say anything about the Tamiya Tomcat that wasn't effusive, glowing admiration. I suppose certain types may decry it as too easy, but personally my ultimate enjoyment of this modeling hobby is derived from having an awesome looking collection on my shelf, not from torturing myself with "real" modeling. I'll build a "shake and bake" kit any day of the week!

It was hyperbole. 😐

It has been said about the Tamiya F-14 that one simply has to snip all the parts off their sprues, toss them back into the box along with an open bottle of glue, put the lid back on, and then give it a vigorous shake... voila, you have a completed , show-ready F-14 just needing paint to finish it up.

Julia Dietze made that movie eminently watchable.

So in 1/48th that would be 0.58", or 14.7 mm. Anyone bring their ruler to Telford?

Ray, did this epic Bronco build stall? I'm sure many of us await the final product...

I've got an A model on my stash shelf... eager to follow along here and see what I have to look forward to next year. 🙂

One can spot a Vargas Girl anywhere. Gorgeous build!

I could be a potential entrant into this... I've got the very excellent looking ICM Bronco in my stash, but I'd never decided which markings to go with, so an Observation bird is definitely on the cards.

I'd never have the patience, but wouldn't think be a great diorama? https://www.instagram.com/p/CIbu0azDSQw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Is there a sign-up list for this? Because I'd put my name down on that list right now!

Sad to say I won't be finishing this one on time for the GB deadline. Kind of bummed about this... I'd really hoped to be able to have a model completed for this one. 🙄 Unfortunately, between losing part of the summer to heat/humidity issues, and then other life stuff getting in the way in early Sept, and again recently it's just not going to happen.